Local Food for All: A Sustainable CSA Business Plan
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that helps our community get fresh, local food while protecting the environment and making sure local farmers can thrive?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can a CSA help people in our town get the food they need?
- What makes a CSA business successful?
- How can our CSA farm in a way that's good for the Earth?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Develop a comprehensive business plan for a CSA program.
- Identify and address food access challenges in the community through the CSA model.
- Incorporate sustainable agriculture practices into the CSA program design.
- Promote environmental responsibility through the CSA program.
- Ensure economic viability of the CSA program.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mysterious Seed Challenge
Students receive a cryptic package filled with unusual seeds and a challenge to identify them and determine their growing requirements. This introduces the concept of biodiversity and the importance of selecting appropriate crops for a CSA program.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Global Agriculture Innovators
Students will research different sustainable agriculture practices used around the world, focusing on their applicability to a local CSA. They will document the practices and explain how each one supports environmental sustainability and local food access.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report outlining various sustainable agriculture practices, including their global origins, practical application, and benefits for the CSA program and the environment.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal of understanding sustainable agriculture practices and connects to the standard of learning about innovative agriculture globally.CSA Business Architects
Students develop a comprehensive business plan for the CSA, including financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational logistics. They will integrate sustainable practices into the business model to ensure environmental responsibility and long-term economic sustainability.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete business plan for the CSA, including an executive summary, market analysis, financial projections, and operational plan.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCorrelates with the learning goal of developing a business plan for a CSA program, integrating knowledge of sustainable practices, and ensuring economic viability.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioLocal Food for All Rubric
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Assesses the student's ability to research, select, and adapt global sustainable agriculture practices for a local CSA program.Research Quality
Clarity and depth of research on global sustainable agriculture practices
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated research on a wide range of global sustainable agriculture practices, providing detailed insights into their origins, mechanisms, and comprehensive benefits. Applies concepts innovatively to the local CSA context.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research on multiple global sustainable agriculture practices, providing clear explanations of their origins, mechanisms, and benefits. Applies concepts appropriately to the local CSA context.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging research on a few global sustainable agriculture practices, providing basic descriptions of their origins, mechanisms, and benefits. Applies concepts inconsistently to the local CSA context.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial research on a limited number of global sustainable agriculture practices, providing minimal descriptions of their origins, mechanisms, and benefits. Struggles with concept application to the local CSA context.
Contextual Relevance
Relevance and adaptability of chosen practices to the local community and climate
Exemplary
4 PointsInnovatively selects and adapts agriculture practices that are exceptionally relevant and well-suited to the local community and climate, demonstrating insightful consideration of unique contextual factors.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects and adapts agriculture practices that are highly relevant and well-suited to the local community and climate, demonstrating thoughtful consideration of contextual factors.
Developing
2 PointsSelects agriculture practices that are somewhat relevant and adaptable to the local community and climate, demonstrating basic consideration of contextual factors.
Beginning
1 PointsSelects agriculture practices that are of limited relevance or adaptability to the local community and climate, demonstrating minimal consideration of contextual factors.
Integration Explanation
Clarity and depth of explanation on the integration of practices into the CSA program
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an exceptionally clear, detailed, and insightful explanation of how the selected sustainable agriculture practices can be seamlessly integrated into the CSA program to maximize sustainability and local food access, going beyond expectations.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and detailed explanation of how the selected sustainable agriculture practices can be effectively integrated into the CSA program to promote sustainability and local food access.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of how the selected sustainable agriculture practices can be integrated into the CSA program to promote sustainability and local food access.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or unclear explanation of how the selected sustainable agriculture practices can be integrated into the CSA program to promote sustainability and local food access.
CSA Business Plan
Assesses the student's ability to develop a comprehensive business plan for a CSA program, integrating sustainable practices and effective marketing strategies.Business Plan Completeness
Completeness and feasibility of the CSA business plan components
Exemplary
4 PointsBusiness plan components (market analysis, financial projections, operational plan, marketing strategy) are exceptionally complete, detailed, and realistic, demonstrating an innovative and comprehensive understanding of CSA business operations.
Proficient
3 PointsBusiness plan components (market analysis, financial projections, operational plan, marketing strategy) are complete, detailed, and realistic, demonstrating a thorough understanding of CSA business operations.
Developing
2 PointsBusiness plan components (market analysis, financial projections, operational plan, marketing strategy) are partially complete and somewhat realistic, demonstrating a basic understanding of CSA business operations.
Beginning
1 PointsBusiness plan components (market analysis, financial projections, operational plan, marketing strategy) are incomplete and unrealistic, demonstrating a limited understanding of CSA business operations.
Sustainable Integration
Integration of sustainable practices into the CSA business model
Exemplary
4 PointsInnovatively integrates sustainable practices into all aspects of the CSA business model, demonstrating exceptional creativity and foresight in promoting environmental responsibility and long-term economic sustainability.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively integrates sustainable practices into all aspects of the CSA business model, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term economic sustainability.
Developing
2 PointsPartially integrates sustainable practices into some aspects of the CSA business model, demonstrating a basic awareness of environmental responsibility and economic sustainability.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimally integrates sustainable practices into the CSA business model, demonstrating a limited awareness of environmental responsibility and economic sustainability.
Communication and Persuasion
Clarity and persuasiveness of the executive summary and marketing strategy
Exemplary
4 PointsExecutive summary and marketing strategy are exceptionally clear, concise, and persuasive, demonstrating advanced communication skills and innovative approaches to attract customers and promote the CSA program.
Proficient
3 PointsExecutive summary and marketing strategy are clear, concise, and persuasive, demonstrating effective communication skills and a well-defined approach to attract customers and promote the CSA program.
Developing
2 PointsExecutive summary and marketing strategy are somewhat clear and persuasive, demonstrating basic communication skills and a rudimentary approach to attract customers and promote the CSA program.
Beginning
1 PointsExecutive summary and marketing strategy are unclear and unpersuasive, demonstrating limited communication skills and a poorly defined approach to attract customers and promote the CSA program.